One person was killed and another critically injured after two helicopters collided mid-air and crashed in southern New Jersey on Tuesday, triggering a major emergency response and sparking widespread concern after dramatic videos of the aftermath circulated on social media.
The crash occurred over Hammonton in Atlantic County at around 11:25 am EST, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incident involved two lightweight helicopters, an Enstrom 280C and an Enstrom F-28A, both typically designed to carry three people or fewer.
Videos Show Flames And Thick Smoke
Videos widely shared online showed thick black smoke rising into the sky and flames engulfing at least one of the helicopters as police cars, fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene. Debris was scattered across the ground, and flashing emergency lights illuminated the crash site.
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way confirmed the incident in a post on X, saying she had been briefed on a mid-air collision involving two helicopters in Hammonton. She added that teams from the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management, the Hammonton Police Department and the New Jersey State Police were responding.
Firefighters Extinguish Blaze At Crash Site
According to the Hammonton Police Department, one of the helicopters was already engulfed in flames when it crash-landed. Firefighters and rescue crews worked swiftly to extinguish the fire and secure the area. Authorities later confirmed that the flames had been fully put out.
The Associated Press reported that only the pilots were on board each helicopter at the time of the collision. One pilot was killed, while the other was transported to a nearby hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. No additional casualties were reported, despite the crash occurring in a populated area.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB have launched investigations to determine the cause of the collision. Officials said details remain limited and the inquiry will examine flight paths, air traffic coordination and mechanical factors.